Components

The Davis EnviroMonitor system

Prodata Weather Systems is the only UK dealer to have been involved in the beta-testing of the new Davis EnviroMonitor range over the past year.

EnviroMonitor System

As a result, we already have in-depth knowledge of the EM range and can offer unrivalled insights and advice into applications made possible by this exciting and cost-effective new system. Please message or phone for further information.

EnviroMonitor (EM) is a new and highly flexible system able to remotely monitor many physical aspects of the environment, both outdoors and in other settings such as greenhouses. Data readings include weather (of course!), soil conditions and several other environmental parameters such as water level, flow rate, water pressure etc. Additional sensors are planned for the future.

Data is uploaded to a cloud platform and all readings can be viewed and analysed via an innovative, modern, browser-based interface that’s equally at home on PC or smartphone app.

The EnviroMonitor system is based around three types of hardware component: gateways, nodes and sensors. These various components are assembled to form a mesh network – see schematic.

EM Mesh Network

In outline, the gateway acts as a hub for a local set of nodes, with gateways uploading all data into the cloud to a totally new area of the Davis Weatherlink.com platform. All data initially flows up into the cloud via the mobile phone network, and users can immediately view the data across the Internet on a smartphone or tablet app or PC browser (i.e. there is no concept of a dedicated local display console as with a Vue or VP2 station). EM is therefore more like a Davis Connect system in concept, but with considerably enhanced data handling.

Since EM uses the mobile network, each gateway needs an annual data plan with options of 5, 15 or 60 minute updates in a similar way to the Davis Connect plans.

Communication between gateways and nodes is via a ZigBee wireless mesh, while sensors are all cabled to their nearest node.

Gateways and Nodes are fully weatherproof and solar-powered and so are fully autonomous units suitable for installation anywhere on an exposed site, subject only to wireless range/reception considerations.

Configuration of a new EM system is performed onsite by means of a separate EM smartphone app (both Android and iPhone versions available) which communicates directly with gateways and nodes via Bluetooth.

EnviroMonitor data handling

EnviroMonitor communicates with the outside world in two ways:

An EM Gateway uploads data via the mobile phone network to a fully-featured, modern, cloud-based data platform at Weatherlink.com (for EM). Various devices, including e.g. smartphones, tablets and PCs, can then access the data across the Internet using either a standard web browser or smartphone apps;

EM Gateways and Nodes can talk to the smartphone app called ‘EnviroMonitor’ via a local Bluetooth connection. This EnviroMonitor app is used primarily for configuring the Gateway and Nodes when onsite with the system and for associated maintenance tasks such as updating firmware in the units. But this app can also be used for remote viewing of EM system health-check readings.

EM Weatherlink now stores all historical archive data in the cloud, removing the need to store and process this data locally (although data downloads are still possible, if required).